Art Deco Coffee Pot – Manufacture Touze, Lemaître Frères & Blancher, Limoges, c. 1930

Resolutely graphic, this Limoges porcelain coffee pot captivates with its architectural silhouette and the subtle balance of its decoration. Its truncated-conical body, flaring towards the shoulder before narrowing at the base, creates a shape that is both understated and assertive. The luminous whiteness of the porcelain enhances a geometric composition combining pearl grey, dusty pink and rich silver-toned metallic accents.

At the top, a pearl-grey band is underlined by four parallel metallic lines, whose lustre contrasts delicately with the softness of the pink. A second dusty-pink band encircles the body, introducing a pastel note that tempers the rigour of the design. At the base, three concentric lines echo this decorative vocabulary, creating visual continuity between the body and the lid.

The slightly domed lid, fitted onto a wide collar, repeats the same shades of grey and pink, along with the metallic lines. It is topped with a tiered finial featuring metallic reflections, a particularly striking sculptural detail. The slender, angular handle has a metallic finish that emphasises its architectural character: its straight lines respond to the curves of the body, reinforcing the modernity of the overall design. The long, tapered spout widens at its base before narrowing towards the tip. Its metallic finish accentuates its contours and gives it a strong decorative presence.

The piece demonstrates a carefully considered balance between geometry, restrained colours and precious details. Free from floral motifs, the decoration relies entirely on the rhythm of the lines, the contrasts between finishes and the precision of the proportions. This aesthetic evokes the interwar period's taste for modern tableware, in keeping with the visual language of Art Deco.

This coffee pot would make a natural addition to a collection of Limoges porcelain, grace a formal dining table or bring a touch of historic elegance to an interior where antique objects meet contemporary lines.

About the marks

Several marks on the base shed light on the history of this piece.

TLB — Manufacture Touze, Lemaître Frères & Blancher identifies the manufacturer associated with the production of the white porcelain body. Founded in Limoges in 1918, the company belongs to the industrial and artistic tradition of Limoges porcelain, whose output served both traditional tableware and designs featuring more modern lines.

Limoges Unique is a collective mark of origin used from the late 1920s onwards, generally dated between 1929 and 1939 according to available references. It helped protect the reputation of Limoges porcelain and identify its place of origin.

Salmon & Cie, also known in its early days as Letourneur Salmon & Cie, was a company specialising in the design, decoration and marketing of porcelain and tableware. Its business included purchasing white porcelain pieces from manufacturers, then decorating and distributing them commercially. Its 1937 catalogue illustrates the importance of this publishing and trading activity.

These three marks illustrate the complementary roles of porcelain manufacturers and decorating houses: a single piece could be made by one company, then decorated and marketed by another. Their presence provides valuable documentary evidence for understanding the history and commercial journey of this coffee pot.